Role in Iraq 'hypothetical'

Australia would consider its position on whether to support any US military action in Iraq when it "became an option", the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, said yesterday.

He said there was no question of American military intervention in Iraq in the immediate future, and every effort should be made by the United Nations to resolve the issue by ensuring Saddam Hussein allowed in UN weapons inspectors.

Asked what Australia would do should the US resort to military intervention, Mr Downer said it would depend.

"I know a lot of people in the US are beating the drum about military action against Iraq, but it would depend very much on the circumstances ...

"One can imagine the situation where military action ultimately would become an option, and we would consider our position in that context. But we haven't got to that point yet and I think it's premature to be canvassing too many details of what military action could take place." ");document.write("

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Mr Downer's comments came as his Opposition counterpart, Kevin Rudd, said the defence budget was grossly overstretched and could not support the additional burden of "a move into Iraq".

The Prime Minister, John Howard, replied to Mr Rudd's comments by saying it was a "completely hypothetical issue".